Footage that reportedly captures a Denver health inspector pouring bleach into containers of a local vendor’s food has gone viral online, with the clip being viewed millions of times around the internet since it was first uploaded several days ago. The vendor in question was Tacolorado, a highly-rated and much-hyped food spot, and the reason for the health department’s action was reportedly related to unsafe food safety practices.

On November 18, the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) issued a press release related to the incident providing the following explanation: “Over the past several weeks, DDPHE has been closely monitoring Tacolorado due to serious public health concerns. The vendor has been operating without a required business license and has repeatedly failed to follow essential food safety practices. Investigators observed unsanitary food storage and preparation conditions, no reliable method to keep food at safe temperatures—conditions that can lead to foodborne illness—and the unsafe use of heating devices like propane, which pose additional safety hazards to both the vendor and the public.”

According to the DDPHE, their investigation team made contact with the vendor multiple times in various locations, noting that health departments in other counties have also made contact with the vendor in recent weeks.

“Despite these efforts, the vendor has continued to operate illegally and unsafely,” read the DDPHE press release.

A report from 9News details some of the food safety issues that were reportedly present, including that a trash can filled with contaminated water was being used as a hand sink, that cooked meat was kept between 54 and 82 degrees instead of the required 135 degrees, and that raw meat was sitting on cardboard boxes opposed to cold storage.

Additional detail in that press release directly addresses the decision to utilize bleach to quickly render food inedible: “Because we have been unable to achieve compliance, our enforcement actions have escalated to confiscating and safely disposing of food products that pose a potential health risk. In previous encounters, the vendor had quickly packed up and relocated before food could be safely discarded. At the most recent inspection, when our investigators arrived, employees began packing the contaminated food into a locked truck. Given the vendor’s interference, lack of an on-site dumpster, and the amount of contaminated food, bleach was used as a quick and immediate response to ensure food could not be packed, stored, and resold. Any food that is destroyed is bagged and discarded, not left for someone to eat later. Using bleach or other additives is a standard public health practice intended to prevent illness and protect unknowing future consumers. These actions are never taken lightly and are only used after multiple attempts at education and voluntary compliance.”

As might be expected, the situation is getting plenty of engagement on the Denver Food subReddit. Most commenters chiming in seem to be happy about the response given the unsafe conditions that were reportedly present and how much of a risk those unsafe conditions can pose to the public.

Tacolorado, also referred to as Tacos Tacolorado, has gotten a lot of hype in recent weeks on social media, with many patrons reporting the lines are always long and that the food is great. Apparently, that food has reportedly come with some serious risk to diners, too. Find the Tacos Tacolorado social media page here.

The viral clip of the person pouring bleach on the food can be found on Reddit here. The full response from DDPHE can be found here.

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